Beverage dispenser

ABSTRACT

A liquid dispensing system having a handheld liquid dispense device with a body portion and a dispensing head. The dispensing system includes an ingredient system located remotely from the handheld liquid dispense device, piping extending from the ingredient system to the handheld liquid dispense device, the ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources and configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a beverage from the handheld liquid dispense device. The dispensing system may also include a user interface device configured to receive a first user selection for a beverage and a second user selection for an ingredient modifying the beverage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 15/760,913, filed Mar. 16, 2018, which is anational stage entry of PCT Application No. PCT/US2016/051530, filedSep. 13, 2016. This application also claims priority to Provisional U.S.App. No. 62/219,993, filed Sep. 17, 2015. Each of these prior-filedapplications is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a beverage dispensing system forthe dispensing of beverage ingredients through a dispenser and morespecifically for dispensing of beverage ingredients through a bar gun,soda gun or handheld dispenser.

BACKGROUND

Various beverage dispensers, such as those at restaurants, bars andother entertainment and/or food service venues, may typically have ahandheld bar gun or soda gun. In conventional bar gun dispenser systems,the bar gun is coupled to a number of drink syrup supply sources viapipes dedicated to supply the particular drink syrup to the bar gun. Auser will typically hold the bar gun over a cup and press a button onthe bar gun to activate the dispenser so that the selected beverage isdelivered from the dispensing head into the cup until pressure iswithdrawn from the button.

Conventional bar guns are typically limited to dispensing drinks havingdedicated buttons on the bar gun. Thus, a limited number of drinks aretypically available at a conventional bar gun. For example, drinkstypically available through a conventional bar gun are a regular colabeverage, a diet cola beverage, perhaps one or several non-colacarbonated beverages, such as a lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverageor some other fruit-flavored drink (e.g., orange flavored carbonatedbeverage, and/or root beer), and perhaps one more non-carbonatedbeverage(s), such as a tea and/or a lemonade.

Conventional bar guns are not typically configured to permit a user togenerate or receive a custom-ordered beverage that a consumer may wishto purchase, e.g., a cola flavored with cherry, vanilla, lemon, or lime,etc., or a tea flavored with lemon, orange, peach, raspberry, etc.

What is needed is a bar gun system that does not have the limitationsand disadvantages of conventional bar gun dispensers and methods.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment a dispensing system is provided, such as fordispensing beverages including soda.

Handheld liquid dispense devices having a body portion and a dispensinghead are described herein. The dispensing system may include a centralingredient system located remotely from the handheld liquid dispensedevice including piping extending from the ingredient system to thehandheld liquid dispense device. The ingredient system may have aplurality of beverage ingredient sources and may be configured to supplybeverage ingredients through the piping for the dispensing of a beveragefrom the handheld liquid dispense device. The dispensing system may alsoinclude a user input device configured to receive at least a first userselection for a beverage and a second user selection for an ingredientmodifying the beverage. The ingredient modifying the beverage may be aflavor addition syrup or flavor shot.

The liquid dispensing system may include a plurality of flow controlvalves with each flow control valve associated with a beverageingredient. The liquid dispensing system may be configured tosimultaneously dispense multiple beverage ingredients at predeterminedflow rates based on a beverage selection.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, given the benefit ofthe following description of certain exemplary embodiments of thedispensing system disclosed herein, that at least certain embodimentsdisclosed herein have improved or alternative configurations suitable toprovide enhanced benefits. These and other aspects, features andadvantages of this disclosure or of certain embodiments of thedisclosure will be further understood by those skilled in the art fromthe following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunctionwith the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a dispensing system including barguns according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a dispensing system including barguns according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of piping for use with adispensing system according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is side view of an embodiment of a bar gun according to variousaspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates a schematic view of elements of a dispensing systemaccording to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates a schematic view of elements of a dispensing systemaccording to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a top view of an embodiment of a bar gun showing a userinterface device according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5B is top view of an additional embodiment of a bar gun showing auser interface device according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary user interface screen in accordance with variousaspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention(s) described herein are susceptible of embodimentsin many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will hereinbe described in detail exemplary embodiments of the invention(s) withthe understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention(s) and is notintended to limit the broad aspects of the invention(s) to theembodiments illustrated. It is to be understood that other embodimentsmay be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may bemade, without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentdisclosure.

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration, various embodiments of thedisclosure that may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized.

In the following description of various example structures according tothe invention(s), reference is made to the accompanying drawings, whichform a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrationvarious example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects ofthe invention(s) may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherspecific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, andenvironments may be utilized and structural and functional modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention(s). Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,”“side,” “rear,” “upward,” “downward,” and the like may be used in thisspecification to describe various example features and elements of theinvention(s), these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience,e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or theorientation during typical use. Additionally, the term “plurality,” asused herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctivelyor conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Nothing inthis specification should be construed as requiring a specific threedimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scopeof the invention(s). Also, the reader is advised that the attacheddrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

In general, aspects of this disclosure relate to systems and methods fordispensing liquids. According to various aspects and embodiments, thedispenser may be formed of one or more of a variety of materials, suchas metals (including metal alloys), plastics, polymers, and composites,and may be formed in one of a variety of configurations, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention(s).

The various figures in this application illustrate examples ofdispensing systems according to this disclosure. When the same referencenumber appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is usedconsistently in this specification and the drawings refer to the same orsimilar parts throughout.

The embodiments discussed below may be used to form a wide variety ofbeverages, including but not limited to cold and hot beverages, andincluding but not limited to beverages known under any PepsiCo brandedname, such as Pepsi-Cola®.

A dispensing system 50 according to aspects of this disclosure is shownin at least FIGS. 1-6 . Dispensing systems 50 according to aspects ofthis disclosure may be used to dispense liquids including beverages suchas carbonated beverages including soda. The dispensing system 50 cangenerally include one or more dispense devices 100, which may be a bargun, soda gun, or other handheld liquid dispensing device (handhelddispenser). Each dispense device 100 may include a body 101 and at leastone dispensing head or nozzle 102. Each of the dispense devices 100 mayalso include one or more user interface devices 200 that may be used bya user to select the type of liquid or beverage to be dispensed and/orcombinations of beverage ingredients such that a user may select acustom beverage.

The dispensing system 50 may also include an ingredient system 300located remotely from the dispense device(s) 100 and connected to thedispense location 100 by piping 301. The ingredient system 300 isconfigured to supply the dispense device(s) 100 with beverageingredients including, for example, water, various syrups andflavorings, and various micro ingredients. In some embodiments, thedispensing system 50 may include a single dispense device 100 connectedby piping 301 to a common ingredient system 300. In some embodiments thedispensing system 50 may include multiple dispense devices 100 eachconnected by piping 301 to a common ingredient system 300. In someembodiments, the dispensing system 50 may be a modular system having aplurality of dispense devices 100 each connected to a central ingredientsystem 300.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 1A-1B, the dispense device 100 maycomprise a bar gun, soda gun, or other handheld liquid dispensingdevice. Each dispense device 100 may include a body 101 and at least onedispensing nozzle 102 configured to dispense liquid. Each dispensedevice 100 may also include one or more user interfaces 200, throughwhich a user may select one or more different types of beverages and/orbeverage ingredients to create a custom beverage. As will be discussedin greater detail below, the dispense device 100 may also include aconnection point 106 which may be used to connect the dispense device100 to the ingredient system 300 and/or piping 301.

The dispensing system 50 may include a single dispense device 100connected to a remote ingredient system 300. In other embodiments, andas shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the dispensing system 50 may have aplurality of dispense devices 100, connected to a remote ingredientsystem 300. In still other embodiments, the dispensing system 50 may bemodular having the ability to add additional dispense devices 100 eachconnected to the remote ingredient system 300. Referring to FIGS. 1A and1B, a dispensing system 50 may be provided comprising one or moredispense devices 100, and an ingredient system 300 located remotely fromthe dispense device(s) 100. Piping 301 may extend from the ingredientsystem 300 to the dispense device(s) 100. In some embodiments, as shownfor example in FIG. 1B the dispensing system 50 may also include amanifold 303 connected by piping 301 to each of the dispense devices 100and the remote ingredient system 300 by piping 301.

The ingredient system 300 may have a plurality of sources or reservoirsof beverage ingredients. The ingredient system 300 may comprise aplurality of highly concentrated ingredients for preparation of a widevariety of beverages. Each beverage ingredient 302 may be stored in astorage container or reservoir. The beverage ingredients 302 areconfigured to be dispensed from the dispense device 100. The storagecontainers may comprise cartridges, bags, or bag-in-box type containers,and any other suitable storage container. The beverage ingredients 302may include, for example, soft drink syrups 304, and flavor ingredientsor “flavor shots” 306. Beverage ingredients 302 may also include wateror carbonated water 308. Syrups 304 and other beverage ingredients,including flavor ingredients 306, may include any of those provided byPepsiCo Inc. to form beverages known under any PepsiCo branded name,such as Pepsi-Cola®. In addition to those beverage ingredients listedabove any other number of beverage ingredients may be included such aswater, milk etc.

Syrup and other beverage ingredients 302, 304, 306, 308 may be pumpedfrom the storage containers or other supply containers by pumps todispense locations 100 as desired. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, theingredient system 300 may also include one or more pump assemblies 310used to pump beverage ingredients 302 from the ingredient system 300through piping 301 to the dispense device(s) 100. In some embodiments,each ingredient 302 may be associated with a separate pump assembly 310.In other embodiments, pump assemblies 310 may be associated withmultiple ingredients 302. Pump assemblies 310 may also be used to pumpother liquids through the piping 301 to the dispenser head(s) 102 suchas cleaning solutions. The pump assemblies may be driven by CO₂ from atank and supplied through a CO₂ gas branch line. These pumps maycomprise conventional syrup pumps, e.g., BIP pumps.

As described above, a bag-in-a-box (BiB) may be used in some embodimentsto provide beverage ingredients 302, such as soft drink syrup, to thedispense device(s) 100. In some embodiments, multiple BiB may be stackedor placed on rack. In some embodiments, BiB may include a bag orbladder, composed of plastic or metalized film within a corrugatedfiberboard box. In some embodiments, the dispensing system 50 mayinclude an electronic level sensor to determine the level of contentswithin the bladder.

The ingredient system 300 may include other systems including, forexample, ingredient treatment systems 320. The ingredient treatmentsystem 320 may be used to treat the ingredients 302. For example,ingredient treatment system 320 may be used to cool ingredients 302 to adesired temperature for a cold beverage and/or may be used to heatingredients to a desired temperature for hot beverages. Ingredienttemperature ranges provided by ingredient treatment system(s) 320 may befrom just below about freezing (e.g., to create or prepare a slurry orslush product) through about 180 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g. to create orprepare a hot beverage, such as a coffee or tea).

The ingredient treatment system 320 may also be any suitable treatmentsystem that may improve taste, reduce odor, and/or reduce chlorines. Theingredient treatment system 320, may, for example, be a water treatmentsystem that may improve water quality to near pure water throughsystems, including but not limited to reverse osmosis (RO). Treatedingredients, including water, from the ingredient treatment system(s)320 may be provided to dispense device(s) 100.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of piping 301,also referred to herein as main bundle 301. As shown in FIG. 3 , pipingor main bundle 301 comprises an outer pipe 322, and bundle of smallerinner pipes 324. Inner pipes 324 may comprise any beverage ingredient302 including beverage/syrup lines, flavoring lines, and water andcarbonated water lines. In other embodiments, piping 301 may includemultiple separate inner pipes 324 without having an outer pipe 322.

The piping 301 may also include a return line or water return line. Thereturn line may, for example, allow for the circulating of water that isnot dispensed from a dispensing head 102 to be returned to ingredientsystem 300.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B; FIG. 3 depicts a dispense device100 comprising a bar gun, soda gun, or other handheld liquid dispensingdevice according to aspects of this disclosure, and FIGS. 4A and 4Bschematically illustrate an electronically controlled dispensing system50 including internal portions of the dispense device 100 in accordancewith aspects of this disclosure. As described above, the dispense device100 may include a body 101 and a dispensing nozzle 102 configured todispense liquid. The dispense device 100 may also include one or moreuser interfaces 200, through which a user may select one or moredifferent types of beverages and/or beverage ingredients to create acustom beverage.

As shown in FIG. 4A, beverage ingredients 302, which may include, forexample, soft drink syrups 304, flavor ingredients 306 and water 308,are connected to pump assemblies 310. The ingredients 302 and pumpassemblies 310 are connected to the dispense device 100 via piping 301such that ingredients 302 may be pumped to the dispense device 100. Thedispense device 100 and/or dispenser body 101 may comprise a pluralityof conduits 121 through which the beverage ingredients 302 may flow intothe nozzle 102. In some embodiments, the body 101 of the dispense device100 may include separate conduits 121 associated with each of thebeverage ingredients 302 supplied to the dispense device 100 from theingredient system 300 and/or piping 301. In some embodiments, the body101 may include common conduits 121 through which multiple differentingredients 302 may flow.

The dispense device 100 may also include valve assemblies 140 associatedwith each beverage ingredient supplied to the dispense device from theingredient system 300 and/or piping 301. Each beverage ingredient 302supplied to the dispense device 100 from the ingredient system 300and/or piping 301 may be associated with a valve assembly 140. Forexample, each beverage ingredient conduit 121 within the dispense devicemay be associated with a valve assembly 140. The valve assemblies 140may comprise a flow control valve 142 and an activation device 144capable of activating or adjusting the associated flow control valve142. In some embodiments, the activation device 144 may be a solenoid.Each valve assembly 140 may control the flow of a specific beverageingredient 302 through the dispense device 100 to provide eachingredient to the nozzle 102 at a predetermined flow rate. Althoughvalve assemblies 140 are shown in FIG. 4A as within the dispense devicebody 101, the valve assemblies 140 may be located outside of thedispense device body 101. As shown, for example in FIG. 4B, in someembodiments, valve assemblies 140 may be located in manifolds 303. Inother embodiments, for example, valve assemblies 140 may be located atthe ingredient system 300. As will be discussed in greater detail below,in operation a user interface 200 and a controller or control unit 500may control the appropriate pumps 310 and/or valve assemblies 140 todispense the selected beverage and/or beverage ingredient(s) 302 atcertain flow rates.

After exiting the associated valve assembly 140 the beverage ingredients302 may flow to the nozzle 102. In some embodiments, the system 50 canbe configured such that beverage and/or beverage ingredients 302 areconfigured to mix after exiting the nozzle 102 at the nozzle exit 103.In other embodiments, the dispense device 100 may include a mixingchamber 150 configured to mix beverages and/or beverage ingredients 302.In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3 for example, the nozzle 102 maybe configured as a mixing chamber 150 and beverage and/or beverageingredients 302 may mix within the nozzle 102. As discussed above, anybeverage ingredients may be supplied to the dispense device 100. Forexample, a beverage of regular Pepsi-Cola®, may be formed by providing asyrup and carbonated water each a predetermined flow rate. In someembodiments, the mixture exiting the nozzle 102 and/or mixing chamber150 at the nozzle exit 103 may have a ratio of beverage ingredient (orsyrup) to water of about 5 to 1 by weight.

In some embodiments, the dispense device 100, may also include a postrinse system capable of substantially rinsing the dispense device 100.For example, in some embodiments, the mixing chamber 150 and/or nozzle102 may include a post rinse system capable of substantially rinsing themixing chamber 150 and/or nozzle 102 after dispensing a beverage. Aftera fluid is dispensed through the nozzle 102, a fluid or other rinsingmaterial may enter the mixing chamber 150 to rinse the mixing chamberand substantially eliminate colorings and/or flavorings. In someembodiments, for example, the dispense device 100 may be configured toinject water and/or carbonated water into the mixing chamber 150 and/ornozzle 102 after a user dispenses a beverage. In some embodiments, forexample, during dispensing of a beverage, the dispense device 100 may beconfigured to inject water and/or carbonated water into the mixingchamber 150 for a longer period of time than other ingredients such thatthe water and/or carbonated water rinses the mixing chamber 150 and/ornozzle 102.

In some embodiments, the dispense device 100 may include an ultravioletcleaning device which may be used to clean, such as by killing and/orinactivating microorganisms, on the dispense device 100 particularlynear the nozzle 102. In some embodiments the dispense device 100 mayalso include a refrigeration unit or heating unit to cool or heatbeverage ingredients provided to the dispense device 100.

As described above, each dispense device 100 may include or beassociated with one or more user interfaces 200. As shown for example inFIGS. 3, 5A and 5B, the user interface 200 may be located on a topsurface 104 of the dispense device 100. In other embodiments, as shownfor example in FIG. 6 , the user interface 200 may be separate from thedispense device 100. The user interface 200 may include any componentsor group of components that allow a user to provide input to dispensingsystem 50. The components or group of components may be mechanical,electrical, or electromechanical. The user interface 200 may be a touchsensitive panel or pad and may be constructed of various layersincluding, for example, one or more electrode layers. In otherembodiments the user interface may be a touch sensitive screen and maybe constructed of various layers including, for example, one or moreglass layers, electrode layers, insulating material and adhesives.

User interface 200 may support one or more touch sensitive areas,enabling user interaction via touch within those areas. The userinterface device 200 may be implemented in accordance with one or morenovel methods described herein. As one example, user interface device200 may be used to provide instructions for dispensing a beverage. Inone embodiment, user interface device 200 may allow a user to instructdispensing system 50 to dispense a specific beverage formula and/orspecific beverage ingredients 302. The user interface device 200 mayalso allow a user to customize a beverage or beverage formula, forexample, by adding one or more flavor ingredients 306 or flavoradditions.

As will be discussed in more detail below, the beverage dispensingsystem 50 may include one or more control units 500 which may beinterfaced with user interface 200 to receive actions from userinterface 200 and to perform other actions, for example, control unit500 may control the dispensing system 50 to dispense beverages and/orbeverage ingredients from the dispense device 100. Control unit 500 may,for example, control valve assemblies 140 and/or pumps 310.

FIG. 5A depicts one of the many possible arrangements of a userinterface 200, given the disclosure herein. As described above, the userinterface 200 may be included on a top surface 104 of the dispensedevice 100. In other embodiments, however, the user interface 200 may belocated on other portions of the dispense device 100. The user interface200 may include various beverage options for selection. In someembodiments, the user interface 200 may include various beverage options220 including, for example, a regular cola beverage, a diet colabeverage, one or more non-cola carbonated beverages, such as alemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage or some other fruit-flavoreddrink (e.g., orange flavored carbonated beverage, and/or root beer), andone or more non-carbonated beverages, such as a tea and/or a lemonade.The user interface may also include various flavor or ingredientaddition or removal options 230 including, for example, vanilla,strawberry, raspberry, lemon, lime, etc. In some embodiments, the userinterface 200 may also include water options 235 including for exampleoptions for noncarbonated water or carbonated water to dispense beverageingredients 302 at certain flow rates.

The user interface 200 may also include indicators 236 to show whichbeverage 220, flavor or ingredient 230, and/or water 235 options areselected. The indicator(s) 236 may be lights, such as a light emittingdiode. In other examples, the indicator may be a raised portion or otherdevice capable of indicating to a user that a selection has been chosen.As shown in FIG. 5A, indicators 236 are shown associated with the flavoror ingredient options 230. Thus, a user may select a flavor oringredient option 230 which will be added to a beverage 220 or water 235selection chosen by the user. The indicator 236 indicates to the userwhich flavor or ingredient option is chosen. Beverage selection options220 may be associated with beverage ingredients 302, flavor oringredient selection options 230 may be associated with flavoringredients or “flavor shots” 306, and water selection options may beassociated with water or carbonated water 308.

To dispense a beverage from the dispensing device having a userinterface 200 as shown in FIG. 5A a user may first select one or moreflavor or ingredient options 230. Once the user has selected a flavor oringredient option 230, an indicator 236 associated with the selectedflavor or ingredient options 230 may activate indicating to the user theselected options 230. After selecting the flavor or ingredient options230, the user may then select a beverage option 220 or a water option235 to which the flavor or ingredient options 320 will be added. Oncethe beverage 220 or water 235 option is pressed by the user the selectedbeverage 220 and/or water 235 may be dispensed at a predetermined flowrate and the selected flavor or ingredient option 230 may be dispensedat another predetermined flow rate. The flow rates of the selectedbeverage 220, water 235, and/or ingredient options 230 may be controlledby valve assemblies 140. In embodiments, the user may select thebeverage options 220, water options 235, and/or flavor ingredientoptions 230 in any order.

In one specific example, a user may first select a flavor or ingredientoption 230 labeled “C” in FIG. 5A which may correspond with a cherryflavoring. Next the user may select a beverage option 220 labeled “1” inFIG. 5A which may correspond with a cola beverage. Once the user pressesthe indicator labeled “1” in FIG. 5A the dispense device 100 maysimultaneously dispense a cola syrup at a first predetermined flow rate,carbonated water at a second predetermined flow rate, and cherryflavored syrup at a third predetermined flow rate until the userreleases the beverage selection option 220. In some embodiments, asdescribed above, the carbonated water may continue dispensing after theuser releases the beverage selection option 220 to rinse any residualflavors or colorings from the nozzle 102.

Similarly, in another specific example, a user may want water 235(carbonated water or noncarbonated water) with a flavor or ingredient230 addition. In such an example, the user may first select a flavor oringredient option 230 labeled “V” in FIG. 5A which may correspond with avanilla flavoring. Next the user may a select a water option 235 labeled“S” in FIG. 5A which may correspond with carbonated water. Once the userpresses the indicator labeled “S” in FIG. 5A, the dispense device 100may simultaneously dispense carbonated water at a first predeterminedflow rate, and vanilla flavored syrup at a second predetermined flowrate until the user releases the water selection option 235. In someembodiments, as described above, the water 235 may continue dispensingafter the user releases the water selection option 235 to rinse anyresidual flavors or colorings from the nozzle 102.

In some embodiments, the user interface 200 and/or dispense device 100may include a separate dispense button 238 to dispense a selectedbeverage. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the user interface 200 mayalso include indicators 236 associated with each of the beverage 220,flavor or ingredient 230, and water 235 options. To dispense a beveragefrom the dispensing system 50 having a user interface 200 as shown inFIG. 5B, a user may select one or more flavor or ingredient options 230and a beverage option 220 or a water option 235 to which the flavor oringredient option will be added. Indicators 236 may show the user whichbeverage options have been selected. The user may then press thedispense button 238 which may cause the selected beverage 220 and/orwater 235 to be dispensed at a predetermined flow rate and the selectedflavor or ingredient option 230 to be dispensed at another predeterminedflow rate. The flow rates of the selected beverage 220, water 235,and/or ingredient options 230 may be controlled by valve assemblies 140.In embodiments, the user may select the beverage options 220, wateroptions 235, and/or flavor ingredient options 230 in any order.

In one specific example, a user may first select a flavor or ingredientoption 230 labeled “L” in FIG. 5B which may correspond with a limeflavoring. The user may also select a beverage option 220 labeled “2” inFIG. 5B which may correspond with a lemon-lime soft drink. The user maythen press the dispense button 238 and the dispense device 100 maysimultaneously dispense a lemon-lime syrup at a first predetermined flowrate, carbonated water at a second predetermined flow rate, and limeflavored syrup at a third predetermined flow rate until the userreleases the dispense button 238. In some embodiments, as describedabove, the carbonated water may continue dispensing after the userreleases the dispense button 238 to rinse any residual flavors orcolorings from the nozzle 102.

Similarly, in another specific example, a user may want water 235(carbonated water or noncarbonated water) with a flavor or ingredient230 addition. In such an example, the user may first select a flavor oringredient option 230 labeled “S” in FIG. 5B which may correspond with alemon flavoring. Next the user may a select a water 235 option labeled“W” in FIG. 5B which may correspond with noncarbonated water. The usermay then press the dispense button 238 and the dispense device 100 maysimultaneously dispense noncarbonated water at a first predeterminedflow rate, and lemon flavored syrup at a second predetermined flow rateuntil the user releases the dispense button 238. In some embodiments, asdescribed above, the water 235 may continue dispensing after the userreleases the dispense button 238 to rinse any residual flavors orcolorings from the nozzle 102.

As discussed above, and as shown for example in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 4 ,the beverage dispensing system 50 may include one or more control units500 which may be interfaced with user interface 200 to receive actionsfrom the user interface 200 and to perform other actions, for example,control unit 500 may control the dispensing system 50 to dispensebeverages from the dispensing head 102 as selected by a user. Controlunit 500 may, for example, manage the operation of user interface 200.Control unit 500 may also control, for example, pumps 310 and valveassemblies 140 to dispense beverages from the dispense device 100 basedon inputs and/or beverage selections from the user interface 200.Control unit 500 may be located in various locations. For example,control unit 500 may be located within the ingredient system 300, withinthe dispense device 100, and/or other various locations within thedispensing system 50.

As seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B the user interface 200 may be interfaced withthe control unit 500 which may be interfaced with pumps 310 and/or valveassemblies 140. The interface may provide operative communicationbetween the control unit 500 and various other parts of the dispensingsystem 50 including the user interface 200, the pumps 310, and the valveassemblies 140.

In some embodiments, the dispensing system 50 may also comprise anetwork connection 510, which may also provide one or more user inputs(as well as transmit outgoing signals), coupling dispensing system 50 toa communication network, such as a LAN or the Internet. The dispensingsystem 50 may be connected to a communication network via twisted pairwires, coaxial cable, fiber optics or other media. Alternatively, radiowaves may be used to connect one or more beverage dispensing systems 50to the communication network. In one such embodiment, one or moredispensing systems 50 and/or dispense devices 100 may be incommunication with each other and readily transmit and receiveinformation regarding other dispensing systems 50 and/or dispensedevices 100, including a unique formula dispensed. In one embodiment, aplurality of dispensing systems 50 and/or dispense devices 100 may eachbe coupled to each other through a central server. Yet in anotherembodiment, the dispensing systems 50 and/or dispense devices 100 maycommunicate directly with each other.

Control unit 500 may include one or more processors, electroniccircuitry, memory and/or discrete logic. Processors may be configured toexecute instructions on computer-readable medium, received from a userinterface device 200 and/or a network connection. In some embodiments,control unit 500 may include a clock, calendaring software, interface tosensors, such as beverage availability or other stock levels. Controlunit 500 may be connected to user interface 200 to operate the touch padand/or touch screen and to receive user input from user interface 200.For example, in some embodiments, control unit 500 may receivecoordinates representing a location on the user interface 200 touched bya user.

As discussed above, in some embodiments the user interface 200 may be atouch screen. One exemplary touch screen is shown in FIG. 6 . The touchscreen or user interface 200 may be included on the dispense device 100or may be included separate from the dispense device 100.

In some embodiments, the user interface 200 may be controlled to director lead a user through an interaction to select a beverage. For example,artwork or graphics (objects) associated with various beverage and/orwater options 220, 235 may first be shown to a user. As discussed abovethis can include, for example, a regular cola beverage, a diet colabeverage, one or more non-cola carbonated beverages, such as alemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage or some other fruit-flavoreddrink (e.g., orange flavored carbonated beverage, and/or root beer); oneor more non-carbonated beverages, such as a tea and/or a lemonade; andcarbonated and noncarbonated water. Next, the user interface 200 maydisplay various flavor or ingredient addition or removal options 230including, for example, vanilla, strawberry, raspberry, lemon, lime,etc. In some embodiments, the user interface 200 may also include wateroptions 235 including for example options for noncarbonated water orcarbonated water. Finally, a “Pour” or “Fill” object may be shown on theuser interface 200 to alert the user that the beverage dispensingprocess has progressed to the final stage and the beverage may bedispensed.

In some embodiments, user interface 200 may be configured based onavailability of a beverage product/syrup or a flavoring. For example,should a flavoring be unavailable, control unit 500 may control the userinterface 200 to not show objects related to that flavoring.

In some embodiments, the user interface 200 may include multiplescreens. For example, some screens may provide images related tocarbonated beverages while another screen may provide images related tojuices. In some embodiments, the user interface 200 may include a titlearea or title screen 210 where graphics, text or other visualinformation may be placed in order to invite a consumer to make variousselections. Some embodiments may include a cancel selection area 260.

In some embodiments, the user interface 200 may be configured based onthe time of day. For example, during morning hours, control unit 500 maycontrol the user interface 200 to show objects related to juices whileduring afternoon or evening hours, control unit 500 may control userinterface 200 to show objects related to carbonated beverages.

When a user selects an object in the user interface 200, various otherportions and/or screens of the user interface may be shown. For example,a first screen providing beverage selections 220, 235 may be provided.Once a beverage has been selected, various other portions and/or screensmay be provided to indicate a valid next selection for the user. Forexample, a “pour” option 238 and/or screen may be shown or a flavoraddition portion 230 may be shown to indicate to the user that either ofthese portions are valid next selections.

The user interface 200 may timeout in some embodiments, so that userinput may no longer be accepted from certain areas and the interface mayreset to an initial state.

In some embodiments, the dispensing system 50 may include aninput/output system which may include a number of ports, such as USBport(s) and/or Ethernet port(s) for sending and receiving information.The input/output system may be used by a user to change any number ofvariables within the dispensing system 50. For example, the input/outputsystem may be used to perform maintenance on the dispensing system 50,adjust flow rates of the beverage ingredients, and/or change variablesrelated to the user interface 200.

In some embodiments, the interface 200 may include a “cleaning” modewherein the user interface 200 may become unresponsive to input for apredetermined period, such as 15 seconds. The “clean” mode disables userinputs to facilitate wiping or otherwise touching of the user interface200 for cleaning, without dispensing beverages. At the expiration of thepredetermined period, the user interface 200 may exit the “cleaning”mode and return to normal operation.

In some embodiments, the dispensing system 50 may include other featuresand/or systems. For example, the dispensing system 50 may also compriseauto sanitizing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatlocking of a portion of the system may be used so that a sanitizingcycle may be run. For example, a lock out feature with recognition ofthe sanitizer may be provided to prevent unintentional beveragedispensing. The lock out feature with recognition of the sanitizer mayhave mechanical and electrical safety redundancy.

The dispensing system 50 may comprise and/or communicate with a socialmedia system or application. For example, when a mobile device of aconsumer is within a predetermined distance from a sensor linked to thedispensing system 50, a message may be sent to the consumer's mobiledevice that queries the consumer whether the consumer would like topurchase a beverage. The social media system or application may downloadto the dispensing system 50 the preference or preferences of a consumerbased on the consumer's past purchases and/or identified preferences.

The dispensing system 50 may also receive a beverage order from aconsumer via a social media system or application, including but notlimited to the social media system or application of a seller ofbeverages, including but not limited to restaurants, theaters, otherentertainment venues, and manufacturers and/or distributors ofbeverages. A consumer may order a beverage prior to arriving at dispensedevice 100 so that the drink may be prepared and placed in a cup by thetime or close to the time the consumer arrives at the dispense device100.

Thus, the system may recognize an individual and make certain decisionsregarding what beverage(s) or type of beverage(s) to offer theindividual. The system may change what the system traditionally offersif such a beverage has been ordered by the individual in the past, orthe individual has identified the beverage as a preference on socialmedia system or application.

The invention(s) herein have been described and illustrated withreference to the embodiments of the figures, but it should be understoodthat the features of the invention(s) are susceptible to modification,alteration, changes or substitution without departing significantly fromthe spirit of the invention(s). For example, the dimensions, number,size and shape of the various components may be altered to fit specificapplications. Accordingly, the specific embodiments illustrated anddescribed herein are for illustrative purposes only and the invention(s)are not limited except by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid dispensing system, comprising: ahandheld liquid dispense device comprising: a body portion, and adispensing head; an ingredient system connected to the handheld liquiddispense device; and a user interface comprising a display screenconfigured to receive a user selection for a beverage at a beverageselection button on the display screen and a separate user selection fora flavor ingredient to be dispensed with the beverage at a flavoringredient selection button on the display screen, wherein thedispensing head is configured to dispense the beverage and theseparately selected flavor ingredient simultaneously.
 2. The liquiddispensing system of claim 1, wherein the flavor ingredient is a flavoraddition syrup.
 3. The liquid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein theuser interface is configured to transmit an input directing thedischarge of the beverage and the separately selected flavor ingredientsimultaneously from the handheld liquid dispense device.
 4. The liquiddispensing system of claim 1, wherein the display screen comprises atouchpad.
 5. The liquid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein thedisplay screen comprises a touchscreen.
 6. The liquid dispensing systemof claim 1, wherein the beverage and the separately selected flavoringredient are dispensed in response to a user selection of a dispensebutton on the display screen.
 7. The liquid dispensing system of claim1, wherein the beverage selection button comprises a first imagerepresenting the beverage and wherein the flavor ingredient selectionbutton comprises a second image representing the flavor ingredient. 8.The liquid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising: a socialmedia application configured to receive at least one of: beveragepreferences from a user or prior beverages dispensed by the user, and acontrol unit configured to: recognize the user, and provide a pluralityof beverage selection buttons and flavor ingredient selection buttons onthe display screen based on the beverage preferences of the user or theprior beverages dispensed by the user.
 9. The liquid dispensing systemof claim 1, wherein the display screen comprises a touchscreen locatedon the handheld liquid dispense device.
 10. The liquid dispensing systemof claim 1, wherein the beverage comprises a first beverage ingredientand a second beverage ingredient.
 11. The liquid dispensing system ofclaim 10, wherein the first beverage ingredient is a soda syrup, whereinthe second beverage ingredient is a water, and wherein the flavoringredient is a flavor addition syrup.
 12. The liquid dispensing systemof claim 1, wherein the display screen comprises multiple screens, themultiple screens comprising: a beverage selection screen comprising thebeverage selection button, and a flavor ingredient selection screencomprising the flavor ingredient selection button.
 13. The liquiddispensing system of claim 12, wherein the beverage selection screen isdisplayed before the flavor ingredient selection screen and the flavoringredient selection screen is displayed after the user selection at thebeverage selection button.
 14. A liquid dispensing system, comprising: ahandheld liquid dispense device comprising: a body portion, and adispensing head; an ingredient system connected to the handheld liquiddispense device; and a user interface configured to direct the dischargeof customized beverages from the handheld liquid dispense device, theuser interface comprising a display screen located on the handheldliquid dispense device and comprising a beverage selection buttonconfigured to receive a user's beverage selection, a flavor ingredientselection button configured to receive the user's separate selection ofa flavor ingredient to modify the beverage, and a dispense buttonconfigured to cause dispensing of a customized beverage in response tothe user's selection of the dispense button, wherein dispensing thecustomized beverage comprises dispensing the beverage and the flavoringredient from the dispensing head simultaneously.
 15. The liquiddispensing system of claim 14, wherein the flavor ingredient is a flavoraddition syrup.
 16. The liquid dispensing system of claim 14, furthercomprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured toprovide a plurality of flavor ingredient selection buttons to selectfrom on the display screen, and wherein the plurality of flavoringredient selection buttons is based on the presence of specificingredients detected in the ingredient system.
 17. The liquid dispensingsystem of claim 14, further comprising a control unit, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to provide a plurality of beverage selectionbuttons to select from on the display screen and wherein the pluralityof beverage selection buttons is based on the presence of specificingredients detected in the dispensing system.
 18. A liquid dispensingsystem, comprising: a handheld liquid dispense device comprising: a bodyportion, and a dispensing head; an ingredient system connected to thehandheld liquid dispense device; a social media application configuredto receive a beverage order from a consumer; and a user interfacecomprising a touchscreen located on the handheld liquid dispense deviceand comprising a dispense button configured to dispense the beverageorder in response to a user's selection of the dispense button, whereinthe beverage order comprises a beverage selection and a flavoringredient selection modifying the beverage section, and whereindispensing the beverage order comprises dispensing the selected beverageand the selected flavor ingredient from the dispensing headsimultaneously.
 19. The liquid dispensing system of claim 18, whereinthe social media application is further configured to send a message tothe consumer when a mobile device of the consumer is within apredetermined distance from a sensor linked to the liquid dispensingsystem.
 20. The liquid dispensing system of claim 19, wherein themessage asks the consumer whether the consumer would like to purchase abeverage.